Volunteers to give kids a merry Christmas

GUILFORD, Maine — For many children in Piscataquis County the items that community organizations have provided will be the only Christmas presents they will receive during the holiday.

In an area hit hard by mill closings, some parents are finding it hard to feed and clothe their children while making mortgage payments and keeping their homes warm.

Thanks to volunteer efforts, more than 650 children in the county will have a merry Christmas. Those volunteer efforts came from the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis, Three Rivers Kiwanis of Milo-Brownville, Moosehead Kiwanis, Kara Jackson, Guilford Key Club, Monson Town Office and the Dover-Foxcroft Penquis office.

James Macomber of Penquis said the organizations also had help from Toys for Tots, local businesses and organizations, churches, and private contributions. Not only were money, clothing and gifts donated, but also volunteers gave of their time and organizations of their space.

Macomber said the local project coordinators and those interested would meet in January to review the project’s success and to plan for next year’s holiday.

Anyone who wants to share ideas or comments can e-mail them to Sheree Brown at sabrown@penquis.org.